The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health |
- Contemplating eyelid surgery
- What not to use in the bedroom: petroleum jelly
- Energize Your Day with the Essentials of Protein
| Posted: 13 Mar 2013 08:10 AM PDT What to expect when you have eyelid surgery. MY FRIEND just had a double eyelid surgery, and I'm contemplating it myself. However, I never had plastic surgery before. I am naturally apprehensive as to what to expect. What does upper eyelid surgery entail? Upper eyelid surgery is also known as upper blepharoplasty. There is also lower eyelid surgery, which is known as lower blepharoplasty. Upper blepharoplasty does not only give you a double eyelid, if you so wish. It can also improve the appearance of your eyes, making them "open up" or seem bigger and brighter. Naturally, for plenty of Oriental women, this involves the formation of a double eyelid, or making the double eyelid seem deeper. Many people, not only women, complain of "tired eyes" when they get older because the skin around the eyes sags and loses its elasticity. Blepharoplasty can rejuvenate your appearance. The thing is to manage your expectations. Don't go into the doctor's office asking to look like Anne Hathaway! How does upper and lower eyelid surgery perk up my eyes? Upper eyelid surgery can remove excess fat from under your skin, which makes your eyes appear puffy in the upper eyelids. It can also tighten loose or sagging skin that creates folds, which can sometimes cover the outsides of the eyes, impairing your vision as you get older. This is called an eyelid lift. Lower eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and fine wrinkles from the lower eyelid. It can also remove eye bags and correct any droopiness that causes the whites (sclera) of the eyes to be revealed under your irises. Is this surgery done under general anaesthesia? It can be, but most of the time, plastic surgeons prefer to do it under local anaesthesia. This is because they prefer you to be an active participant in opening and closing your eyes when they need you to, so that you can achieve a better look. I will be very scared if this surgery is done under local anaesthesia! Isn't it painful? There is an initial pain when the doctor injects the local anaesthetic into the areas that need numbing. But this is no more painful than an ant bite, or when you go for a facial that involves the (rather painful) squeezing of blackheads and comedones, and the plucking of oil seeds (milia). Thereafter, your skin will be numb and you won't feel any pain. You will, however, feel some minor discomfort as your tissue is manipulated, but this discomfort is that of skin tugging and pulling. If you still feel pain in your deeper tissues, your doctor will be able to top up your anaesthesia with more injections, which you won't feel because your skin is already numb. Do I need to prepare anything before surgery? Arrange for someone to drive you to the surgery, which is an outpatient procedure, and back. You may think you can drive yourself, but there will be considerable swelling of your eyes after the surgery, so don't risk it. Eat something before the surgery. You will be given some antibiotics, and you need something in your stomach. You are advised to stop taking aspirin or any analgesic that may cause you to bleed more profusely during surgery. And do stop smoking well in advance. What can I expect after the surgery? You can expect a lot of swelling around your eyes and bruising. This will get worse the day after the surgery, but will eventually subside. There will be some oozing around the sutures as well, and you may shed excessive tears, which may be bloody. But all this is to be expected. Meanwhile, you have to avoid carrying heavy objects or exercising during the first week, as this can increase your swelling. You should consult your doctor if you have any questions. When can I expect to see the results of my surgery? The results will appear after several weeks, but it may take up to a year for the incision lines to fully refine. Eyelid surgery usually only needs to be done once in a lifetime. The results will last you for many years, although you will continue to age naturally. Can I expect complications? As with any surgery, there is always the risk of complications. But it doesn't mean any of these will happen to you. You may get scarring, temporary blurred or impaired vision, dry eyes, difficulty in closing your eyes, a lag in pulling down your eyelid, bleeding and the formation of a haematoma, infection, fluid accumulation, blood clots, numbness or changes in skin sensation, eyelid disorders, and the worse possible complication, loss of eyesight. But again, these are merely risks, and they are rare. |
| What not to use in the bedroom: petroleum jelly Posted: 12 Mar 2013 10:17 PM PDT A new study finds that women who use petroleum jelly such as Vaseline vaginally can put themselves at risk for a common infection called bacterial vaginosis. Prior studies have already linked douching with a host of ill effects, including bacterial vaginosis, but not much research has been done on how petroleum jelly affects female sexual organs. Lead researcher Dr. Joelle Brown of the University of California, San Francisco, and her colleagues recruited 141 women in the study, with half of the women saying they had used some type of sexual lubricant, petroleum jelly, or baby oil vaginally in the past month. When the researchers tested the women for infections, they found that those who'd used petroleum jelly in the past month were more than twice as likely as non-users to have bacterial vaginosis. While the illness doesn't cause long-term problems, it can be uncomfortable, and worse puts a woman at greater risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Your best bet: reach for water soluble products designed specifically as a vaginal lubricant, which are both safer and more cosmetically pleasing. The new findings are published online and in the April print issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. -- AFPRelaxnews |
| Energize Your Day with the Essentials of Protein Posted: 12 Mar 2013 04:33 PM PDT What did you have for breakfast today - a hearty dose of Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, completed with Teh Tarik? Or perhaps a much-needed steaming cup of coffee to go with the morning paper? For some people, it is a norm to skip breakfast in the morning for an extra 10 minutes of snooze time or to beat the traffic jam. For those who do have breakfast, you'll have to admit that we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the selection of food we can have to start our day. The question is, are you eating right for the right start to your day? While bread or cereal may seem to be a convenient option, they are high in carbohydrate and may lead to elevated blood sugar levels which drop quickly and leave you feeling hungry and drained. Research have showed that a breakfast high in protein helps with stabilising blood sugar and prevents hunger for a number of hours. According to the Malaysian Food Guide, Food Pyramid and Food Composition, breakfast should account for 30% of our protein intake – which translates to approximately 21 grams. While there are many types of food we can consume to meet the 21 grams of protein intake for breakfast, we have to also be mindful not to take in too much calories and fats, which may lead to obesity. Each person's protein needs depend on several factors such as age, size, physical condition, and the level of physical activity. Nutritionists use a standard method to estimate a person's minimum protein requirement daily, which is to multiply a person's body weight (kg) with 0.8, as the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in the US for protein is 0.8 grams per kilograms of body weight of adults. Take a typical Malaysian breakfast for instance. According to Nutriweb Malaysia 2000-2012 Database of Nutrient Composition of Malaysia Food, three pieces of Roti Canai can provide you with 21 grams of protein for your first meal of the day, but that also comes with 31 grams of fat, and 136.5 grams of carbohydrate. Likewise, in order to have 21 grams of protein, you will need to have 2.2 packets of Nasi Lemak, but provides you with 28.8 grams of fat and 128 grams of carbohydrate. Understanding the importance of a high-protein breakfast, leading direct selling company Amway have introduced its NUTRILITE™ All Plant Protein Powder to help you boost your protein intake and get a right start for the day. With 2.5 scoops of NUTRILITE All Plant Protein that can be mixed with any of your favourite beverages or food, it is an easy and convenient breakfast option that can help you achieve the needed 21 grams of protein, with only 1.3 grams of fat and 0.8 grams of carbohydrate. "Certified Halal, lactose-free and safe for vegetarians, the NUTRILITE All Plant Protein Powder caters to many people as it has no cholesterol and contains only minimal fat content and nine essential amino acids to aid the body's digestion," said Dr. Gene Maly, Senior NUTRILITE Research Scientist. "This complete, nutritious alternative to meat and dairy products is suitable for those seeking a lean source of protein in their diets, with its naturally sourced with a unique tri-blend of soy, wheat and pea," Maly added. "It is a boost to your diet to load up your day's essentials, giving you an energized start in the morning." Energize your day and start it right with NUTRILITE All Plant Protein Powder, available through Amway Distributors nationwide and at the 20 Amway Shops located in Petaling Jaya, Seremban, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, Batu Pahat, Bintulu, Penang, Klang, Wangsa Maju, Mentakab, Taiping, Malacca, Segamat, Brunei, Alor Setar, Kuantan, Nusa Bestari, Seberang Perai, Sibu, and Ipoh. For more information on NUTRILITE All Plant Protein Powder, log on to http://www.amway.my/nutrition/nutrilite/energise-your-day or call Amway at (03) 7946 2800. *Source: Nutriweb Malaysia 2000-2012 Database of Nutrient Composition of Malaysia Food This article is brought to you by Amway. |
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